Rationale
The 11th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in November 2018 (Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.1(XI)) renamed the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) to the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) with effect from January 2021 to reflect its evolving mandate. There is now a prominence on Environment and emphasis on the capacity support to Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States on implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to meet obligations. This entailed the creation of a specific Unit that is devoted at the AU Commission in advancing efforts towards MEAs towards Environmental sustainability.

What are MEAs?
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are legally negotiated pact or treaty established between three or more States with the key objective or goal to protect the environment from threats, hazards or danger to humans, animals, plants, land including soil, water, air for a safe environment and sustainable development. MEAs are governed by international law and deal with global or regional environmental challenges by finding a solution to mitigate or prevent the environmental problems through established legally binding obligations or commitments.

Environmental Challenges
Some challenges addressed that MEAs tackle include: Depletion of the Ozone layer; Adverse impacts of Climate Change; Chemicals and Waste; Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes; Land Degradation and Desertification; Loss of Biological Diversity; Marine Pollution; Trade in Endangered Species and destruction of Wetlands, etc.

History of MEAs in Africa
MEAs implementation in Africa dates back to pre- independence under the colonial rule. Post-colonial era, most countries gained independence in the 1960s with the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The African leaders in recognition that soil, water, flora and faunal resources constitute a capital of vital importance to mankind; agreed “to harness the natural and human resources of the African continent for the total advancement of our peoples in spheres of human endeavor.” In this regards, adopted the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (CAB/LEG/24.1) along with a list of Protected Species (Class A and Class B) in Algiers, Algeria on 15 September 1968. The Convention among other issues: (i) Acknowledged the importance of natural resources from an economic, nutritional, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic point of view; aware of the dangers which threaten some of these irreplaceable assets; (ii) Admitted that the utilization of the natural resources must aim at satisfying the needs of man according to the carrying capacity of the environment; and (iii) Committed to undertaking individual and joint action for the conservation, utilization and development of these assets by establishing and maintaining their rational utilization for the present and future welfare of mankind.

In furthering the Principles of the Stockholm Declaration to contribute to the implementation of the Rio Declaration and of Agenda 21, and to work closely together towards the implementation of global and regional instruments supporting their goals, the Algiers 1968 Convention was revised and adopted by the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in Maputo, Mozambique on 11 July 2003. The objectives of the revised 2003 Maputo Convention are to: enhance environmental protection; foster the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources; and harmonize and coordinate policies with a view to achieving national ecological, sound economical and acceptable social development policies and programmes.

MEAs sectors or areas
Areas covered include:
Atmosphere; Freshwater Resources; Hazardous Substances and Waste; Marine Environment and Resources; Nature Conservation and Terrestrial Resources; Genetic Resources; Noise Pollution and Nuclear Safety.

Objectives of MEAs Sub-Unit
The objectives are as follows:

1. Facilitate Policy development and Harmonization to address commitment on MEAs implementation.
2. Strengthen Capacity building of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States to effectively monitor MEAs implementation to meet obligations and commitments towards enhancing human health and environmental protection of the rich and diverse natural resources in Africa.
3. Support development and harmonization of African Common Position during MEAs negotiation.
4. Strengthen Environmental Diplomacy in Africa.
5. Assist Reporting status of MEAs implementation to the Summits.
6. Promote Resource Mobilization for MEAs implementation.

MEAs Sub-Unit Programmes
Programmes comprise of:

1. Political Engagement – This is arrangement at the Ministerial and Heads of State level for coordination of position that enables Africa to speak with one voice in the global fora and negotiations.
2. Environmental Diplomacy – Engage with AU Member States Diplomatic Missions to incorporate MEAs issues in strategic diplomatic issues to enhance Africa’s interest on environmental protection.
3. Assistance / Support to MEAs African Group for effective coordination during negotiations.
4. Promote Research including Indigenous / Traditional Knowledge to support Africa during negotiations and implementation.
5. Engagement of Women and Gender and Youth in MEAs related actions; negotiations; along with continental wide youth competition to enhance programme implementation.
6. Engagement with Parliamentarians to enhance MEAs ratification; domestication and allocation of adequate budget for implementation.
7. Training of MEAs Negotiators for good negotiations skills; Legal; Customs and Border Personnels for effective implementation.